The Time of the Divided Kingdoms

After the death of Solomon, a power struggle for the leadership of Israel ensued. Under the direction of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, the tribe of Judah together with the assimilated Simeonites of that region and half of the tribe of Benjamin joined together to form the southern monarchy called the kingdom of Judah.

The ten and one-half tribes in the north united under the leadership of a strong military officer, Jeroboam, to establish the northern kingdom called Israel or sometimes Ephraim, after the preeminent tribe.

The record of the era of the divided kingdoms is a difficult seesaw account. Time lapses in the narrative and only selected mention of events is characteristic of the interwoven chronicle of these kingdoms. The chart below shows the general chronological relationship of the kings of each of the kingdoms with a brief notation concerning the known prophets who ministered unto them. (* Known prophets are listed under each king.)